Easy Ways To Massage A Dog To Poop (How To)

So you’re going on your usual walk with your pooch and he heads to his favorite spot, sniffs around, then cops a squat. You get the poop bag ready but….where’s the poop?!

Your poor dog seems to be straining with all he has, but just a small coin-sized pellet comes out, all hard and dry. Or worse, nothing.

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ways to massage a dog to poop — Easy Ways To Massage A Dog To Poop (How to)

Urgh. Constipation. It isn’t very fun for anyone, whether humans or dogs. If your dog is constipated, you may notice that he or she strains to defecate, produces small amounts of feces, or has dry and hard stools.

In addition to some dietary and lifestyle changes, you can also massage your dog to encourage better bowel movements. In this blog post, we’ll explore a few ways you can help your pooch unload better.

Why Is Frequent Pooping Important?

Each dog is unique, but the majority of experts concur that between one to three poops each day are typical and healthy for your four-legged companion. That’s because when you poop, your body is getting rid of waste material that it doesn’t need.

And if that waste builds up, it can actually be toxic to your body and make you sick. In severe cases, constipation can lead to intestinal blockages, which can be life-threatening.

If your dog follows a routine, regardless of whether they are a frequent pooper or a sensitive once-daily pooper, they should be fine.

owner waits dog poop — The owner waits for her dog to poop on the grass.

Why Do Dogs Have Problems With Pooping?

The following are a few of the most common causes that cause constipation or problems with pooping in dogs:

Level of activity – The more active your dog is, the better he’ll poop.

Age – Older dogs appear to be more susceptible to constipation.

Diet – As in people, the issue is frequently a diet deficient in fiber. Additionally, unlike people, dogs frequently ingest non-food items including hair, toys, and cat litter, which can result in obstructions and irregular fecal transit. Constipation can be exacerbated by bone meal and other dietary calcium sources.

Medications – A variety of medications, such as antacids, diuretics, antihistamines, and several cancer medications.

Medical Conditions – Metabolic disorders, spinal conditions, and abnormalities in the central nervous systems can play a part. When in doubt, always check with your vet.

Stress – If you’re in a new environment, or your dog’s life has recently undergone a radical change, a stressed-out dog might not poop as well.

Dehydration – A lack of water binds less to the fiber and makes it more difficult to pass.

sad Siberian Husky — Siberian Husky lying on the grass.

How To Massage A Dog To Poop?

A few quick massages can make a big difference if your dog is having trouble potty-ing because they are timid, old, constipated, or simply slow. The defecation habits of your dog can be significantly improved by performing these massages every day or once a week for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time, along with hydration, a balanced diet, and frequent exercise.

Very light pressure should be used when massaging a dog to poop, only enough to barely induce skin movement.

Stroke The Back

From the back of the head, move your hand down the spine. A typical cause of a dog having difficulty pooping is tension in the back muscles and spine.

Put both hands at the base of your dog’s neck while it is resting on its tummy. Hands should be moved lightly along both sides of the spine, all the way to the tail’s base. Do not place your hands on the spine’s bone; rather, keep them on its sides.

dog massage — Dog getting a massage to calm down.

Full Body Massage

Move your hands down the legs and from head to tail. Your dog’s physical and emotional tension can be released and relaxed with a full-body rubdown. Start by applying little pressure to the back of your dog’s neck while sliding down on the sides.

Don’t forget to stroke their legs and tail as well.

dog massage by owner — Dog having a full massage by his owner.

Belly Rub!

Which dog doesn’t like a belly rub!

Your dog’s stomach muscles may occasionally respond well to a simple belly rub. Lay your dog down so that its stomach is visible. With your palm, gently push into their tummy for a few seconds before massaging in clockwise circles.

Once you’ve done a few minutes of clockwise circles, start from the top of the belly just underneath the chest, and stroke downwards towards the tail.

In addition, if your dog is still on its back, massage the abdomen in a shape of an upside-down “U.” Try to vibrate or wiggle your fingers gently to further stimulate the bowels.

A Goldendoodle getting a belly rub from his owner.

Rub The Sides

Along their abdomen, move both hands in a clockwise motion. Try stroking your dog’s belly on the sides instead of just the stomach itself. Your dog should be on their back when you lightly hold its waist with both palms.

Along both sides of their abdomen, make circling motions with your hands.

dog massage on carpet — The owner massages her dog.

Knead The Legs

Some dogs, especially senior dogs, might have some pain in their joints that prevents them from squatting properly to poop.

At the base of the back legs, rub your thumbs in a circular motion. Particularly in elderly dogs, tension may be stored in the back legs. Put a thumb on the glute or thigh muscles of each leg while your dog is sitting or lying down.

Your thumbs should be moved clockwise while applying a little pressure.

Expand the circles gradually to provide as much coverage as possible. Alternately, move your thumbs and give each location 30 to 60 seconds.

dog leg massage — Labrador’s leg being massage by his owner.

Massage His Butt

Though it may not be the most glamorous task, massaging your dog’s anus can help to encourage him to poop. This simple procedure can be done at home with just a little bit of knowledge, rubber gloves, and some lubricant.

First, lift your dog’s tail and look for his anal opening. Next, apply a small amount of lubricant to your (gloved!) finger and gently rub the lubricant slightly into the opening and around the anus.

Gently massage the area in a circular motion for about 30 seconds. You may need to do this several times before your dog feels the urge to poop. But with a little patience, you’ll be able to help your furry friend stay healthy and clean.

dog butt wipe — Vet is wiping the dog’s butt.

What Can You Do To Make Your Dog Poop Better?

Constipation is a common condition in all animals, whether dogs, humans, or anything in between. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help reduce the instances.

Exercise

To encourage a healthy bowel movement and get your dog’s gut moving, take them on long walks and exceed their required activity level.

Don’t just stick to walks, switch it up! Fetching, frisbee, swimming, and chasing games are excellent strategies to support a healthy digestive system.

my dog won't play fetch anymore — My dog won’t play fetch anymore. [Help!]

Food, Herbs, and Supplements

While there are many medical reasons that can contribute to this condition, it is often due to a lack of fiber in the diet. To help your dog get relief from constipation, add some high-fiber foods to his diet. Oatmeal, pumpkin, and sweet potato are all good options.

You can also try adding a teaspoon of canned tuna or salmon (with the bones removed) to your dog’s food. These natural remedies will help to get your dog’s digestive system moving again in no time.

Olive oil, wheat bran, psyllium seed powder, and ginger are a few other foods and herbs that may be helpful in helping your dog do his thing.

old man with his dog in the garden — A man plants herbs with his dog.

Pumpkin

This food remedy for constipation or diarrhea in dogs seems to work in some cases. Pumpkin is high in fiber, which helps to bulk up stool and makes it easier to pass. In addition, pumpkin contains a type of soluble fiber known as pectin, which helps to keep the intestinal walls lubricated and prevents hard stools from forming.

Furthermore, pumpkin is a good source of water, and its high moisture content can help to soften stool and make it easier to pass.

Cockapoo puppy on a Halloween celebration with pumpkin at the back.

Hydration

Fiber needs water to help it pass through the digestive system. Always give your dog access to clean water, and consider giving him electrolyte supplements. Try tricking your dog into drinking more water by adding some natural sweeteners or broth.

A Laxative

If all else fails, your furry friend may benefit from taking a laxative or stool softener to help them poop. An emollient laxative, often known as a stool softener, is a kind of laxative. Check with your veterinarian on the options that your pooch has, and be prepared to go for more walks than usual!

Teach Your Dog To Poop On Cue

Use a cue phrase like “go potty” or “poop!” to communicate your desired behavior to your dog when he squats to poop. Give your canine pal goodies and praise when he finishes his business.

This will link his pooping to the verbal command. Your dog will eventually understand that your cue word requests that he go potty. Keep in mind that this training will require patience, consistency, and time, so try not to become too pressurizing or expectant.